8 Easy Ways to Save Money on a Road Trip This Summer

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July 19, 2017 @ 2:14pm

8 Ways to Save Money on a Road Trip For The Long Weekend

As we reach the halfway through summer mark, it’s time to get those last-minute summer road trip plans in. But one of the biggest issues many Canadians face is figuring out how to save money on a road trip while still enjoying a weekend getaway.

It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to take a mini vacation. You deserve to enjoy your summer, and a road trip is an awesome way to bond with friends and explore the country.

Here are some essential ways you can save money on a road trip, so you can still get the most out of your summer without worrying about your budget.

1. Start Your Road Trip Planning Ahead of Time

A last-minute road trip for the long weekend is an exciting way to put a little adventure in your life. But you should plan out as much as possible beforehand to save money.

Search for interesting attractions, read reviews about the places you’re going, and map out your trip. The more you have planned, the more you can avoid taking detours or getting lost in an unknown area, which can waste time and gas.

This also helps you maximize the time you spend doing fun activities instead of sitting in the car. Who wants to spend all their time in the car when you could be enjoying an adventure?

2. Pack Your Own Snacks

Buying snacks at every gas station stop can really hurt your wallet, especially since prices at convenience stores and gas stations are higher than grocery store prices. Packing your own snacks or lunches can help you save big time on the cost of food.

Caddle’s offers this week include cash back on peanut butter. Purchase it from any store in Canada and upload your receipt to earn money for your road trip fund.

Peanut butter is a great road trip snack because it’s a non-perishable item that you don’t need to worry about keeping cool. Check out this recipe from Gimme Some Oven for tasty peanut butter energy balls.

Bring a cooler of drinks as well. To save on ice, freeze bottles of water ahead of time to pack in your cooler. It will take longer to melt, won’t make everything soggy, and your water will stay colder for longer.

3. Get What You Need Before You Go

If you’re heading to a beach town or a tourist town, the prices for items like sunscreen, beach towels, and sunglasses are significantly higher.

To avoid paying for overpriced items, bring everything you need with you. Make a checklist before you go so you don’t overlook anything you would need to purchase.

This could be anything from phone chargers to sunscreen. If you want to fork over the cash for a souvenir beach towel, go ahead, but if you want to stick to your budget bring your own.

4. Make Sure Your Car is in Good Condition

The last thing you need is to get halfway to your destination and have your car break down, which could cost you a ton of money you didn’t want to spend. Get your car in top shape before you go so you don’t run into these problems.

Make sure you check your tire pressure, fill up your coolant and wiper fluid, and examine your lights to make sure everything is ready to go.

This week, Caddle is offering you cash back on an oil change. Get your oil changed from anywhere in Canada, and you can earn quick cash for your trip.

Be prepared ahead of time and earn extra cash while you’re at it!

5. Find Affordable Accommodations

If you’re traveling somewhere and need to find accommodations for a couple nights, do your research before you go to find discounts or better rates. There are tons of websites and apps out there that let you compare rates or deals to find the best price.

Check out websites like Airbnb, Kayak, Expedia, and Trivago, and apps like Hopper, Travelzoo, and Hipmunk to keep track of rates and deals as you plan your trip.

It’s also a good idea to consider camping at your destination instead of staying in a hotel. You get to spend more time in the outdoors and it’s much less expensive.

6. Check For The Best Gas Prices

When you’re taking a longer road trip, gas prices can add up. Use an app like GasBuddy to find the least expensive gas prices in your area and fill up there instead of choosing the first one on your route.

The money you save by doing this will make a noticeable difference on your road trip.

Another way to save on gas is to make sure you stick to the speed limits, don’t overpack your car, and use a GPS or map so you don’t get lost and have to take unnecessary detours.

7. Scope Out Free Activities

In many cities, you’ll find there are tons of free attractions or events going on throughout the summer. For example, some local museums offer free admission on certain days, or you could find out if there’s a festival going on while you’re there.